Frenkie de Jong return boosts Netherlands’ UEFA Nations League hopes, says Xavi

Frenkie De Jong last featured for Netherlands during the FIFA World Cup 2026. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

Netherlands coach Xavi Hernandez described the return of Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong as a major boost to its attempt to finish atop its UEFA Nations League and advance to the quarterfinals.

De Jong, whose recent career has been dogged by regular injuries, has not featured in any of Netherlands’ Nations League fixtures thus far, and made his last national appearance at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

“He knows ⁠our philosophy, our ideas and he must be important on the pitch with us. I want to see his personality, he’s one of the captains ​of the team, he ‌has experience,” said Xavi.

De Jong is expected to take the place of Borussia Dortmund’s Joey Veerman, who played in the last round of fixtures.

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“All the players can play together, especially the good players, and ⁠Joey is doing so well in Dortmund, and he did very well with us here,” Xavi said.

“In Spain they said Iniesta ‌and I couldn’t play together, we were too similar in our style and approach. Can you imagine?

“Frenkie will be no new discovery for me, he’s a top player. He can play everywhere. Yesterday, he played as a full back for some minutes (in Barcelona’s win over Atletico Madrid). He’s a ‌top player,” he added.

“This is the next goal, and ⁠then we will think about the other goals, but the first is to qualify to quarter-finals,” added Xavi, ‌who took over as Netherlands coach after the World Cup.

“We showed a good level in the last window. ​We have confidence we will qualify.”